Apparatus and method for motion detection in portable terminal

ABSTRACT

A portable terminal includes an apparatus for improving motion detection capability. More particularly, the apparatus improves motion detection capability by changing a motion in a normal state according to a motion state or by changing a motion detection process in the portable terminal in order to avoid motion detection capability deterioration in the portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a terminal state determiner that determines a motion state of the terminal by receiving sensing information for determining the motion state, and a controller that changes a motion detection process according to the portable terminal&#39;s motion state determined by the terminal state determiner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed in the Korean intellectual Property Office onJun. 12, 2009 and assigned Serial No. 10-2009-0052132, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improvingmotion detection capability in a portable terminal that provides amotion detection function. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to an apparatus and method for improving motion detectioncapability by changing a motion in a normal state according to a motionstate or by changing a motion detection process in the portable terminalin order to avoid motion detection capability deterioration in theportable terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable terminals have become necessities of modern life for people ofall ages. Thus, service providers and terminal manufacturers arecompetitively developing differentiated products (or services).

For example, the portable terminal has developed into a multimediadevice capable of providing various services such as phonebooks, games,short messages, e-mails, wake-up calls, MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3)players, digital cameras, and wireless Internet services.

In addition to the aforementioned functions, recently launched portableterminals provide an additional function using an operation detector.

Examples of the additional function using the operation detector includea beat-box, a dice, a passometer, a telephone dial, and the like. Theadditional function provides a user with great pleasure by using amotion detection function which operates by detecting a user's motion.

Taking a dice function for example among the examples of the additionalfunction using the operation function, when the user of the portableterminal shakes the terminal in a certain direction, a dice displayed ona screen of the portable terminal rotates and thus the user can have thesame effect and fun as if the user directly rolls the dice.

The additional function using the operation detector uses anacceleration sensor or a gyroscope sensor to detect a user's gesture,but cannot correctly detect the user's gesture when the user of theportable terminal is in motion or moves.

Therefore, when the user makes a gesture while moving, the portableterminal cannot correctly detect the user's gesture and thus the motiondetection function deteriorates in performance.

In addition, when the same motion as a gesture for motion detectionoccurs while the user of the portable terminal moves, the portableterminal recognizes the motion as the gesture for motion detection evenif the user does not intend to perform the motion detection function,and as a result, an unnecessary operation may be performed.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for a portableterminal capable of correctly recognizing gestures even in a state wherea user moves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is aprimary aspect of the present invention to solve at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide an apparatus and method for improving motiondetection capability of a portable terminal.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod for changing a motion detection process according to a motionstate in a portable terminal.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatusand method for changing a motion in a normal state according to a motionstate in a portable terminal.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus formotion detection of a portable terminal is provided. The apparatusincludes a terminal state determiner that determines a motion state ofthe terminal by receiving sensing information for determining the motionstate, and a controller for changing a motion detection processaccording to the portable terminal's motion state determined by theterminal state determiner.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method formotion detection of a portable terminal is provided. The method includesdetermining a motion state of the terminal by receiving sensinginformation for determining the motion state, and changing a motiondetection process according to the determined motion state of theterminal.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, itmay be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, becommunicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximateto, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable terminal for improvingmotion detection capability according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a process of changing sensing information forfunction control in accordance with a motion state in a portableterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a process of changing a motion detection model inaccordance with a motion state in a portable terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process of improving capability of amotion detection function in a portable terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a process of improving capability of amotion detection function in a portable terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure.

An apparatus and method for changing a motion detection process inaccordance with a motion state in a portable terminal in order toimprove motion detection capability of the portable terminal will bedescribed hereinafter according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

The changing of the motion detection process includes changing aparameter required for motion detection, changing a motion detectionmodel, changing sensing information for function control according tothe motion state, changing a parameter indicating a criterion fordetermining a user's motion, deactivating a motion detection functionaccording to the motion state of the user, and so forth.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable terminal for improvingmotion detection capability according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1, the portable terminal may include a controller 100, a motiondetector 102, a terminal state determiner 104, a sensor 106, a memory108, an input unit 110, a display unit 112, and a communication unit114.

The controller 100 provides overall control to the portable terminal.For example, the controller 100 performs processing and control forvoice telephony and data communication. In addition to its typicalfunction, according to the present invention, the controller 100determines a motion state of the portable terminal by using sensinginformation received from the sensor 106. Thereafter, the controller 100changes a motion detection process according to the determined motionstate of the portable terminal.

The changing of the motion detection process includes changing aparameter for motion detection to increase a motion detection successrate for functional control, changing a motion detection model, changinga parameter indicating a criterion for determining a user's motionaccording to the motion state, and changing motion detection informationin a normal state according to the motion state, and so forth. Thecontroller 100 controls the terminal state determiner 104 to determinethe motion state of the portable terminal. For example, in a state wherethe user of the portable terminal walks fast, the controller 100provides control such that a signal X received to determine motiondetection is changed to a signal X1 corresponding to a fast pace, andthus even if the user makes a gesture for motion detection while movingat a fast pace in practice, the portable terminal recognizes the gestureas if it is made in the normal state.

The motion detector 102 determines a motion made by the user of theportable terminal by using sensing information received from the sensor106 for function control, and thereafter provides information on thedetermined motion to the controller 100.

The terminal state determiner 104 receives sensing information requiredto determine the motion state of the portable terminal from the sensor106 and determines the motion state of the portable terminal. That is,by using the sensing information, the terminal state determiner 104determines whether the user of the portable terminal walks, walks at afast pace, runs, or runs at a very fast pace.

The sensor 106 includes a plurality of sensors (such as a gyro sensorand an acceleration sensor), and gathers the sensing informationrequired to determine the motion state of the portable terminal and thesensing information for function control. Thereafter, the sensor 106provides the terminal state determiner 104 with the sensing informationrequired to determine the motion state of the portable terminal and thesensing information for function control or directly provides the motiondetector 102 with the sensing information for function control to allowthe motion detector 102 to perform the motion detection process.

The memory 108 preferably includes, for example, a Read Only Memory(ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash ROM, and the like. The ROMstores a variety of reference data and a microcode (i.e., code) of aprogram for processing and control of the controller 100, the motiondetector 102, and the terminal state determiner 104.

The RAM is a working memory of the controller 100 and stores temporarydata that is generated while various programs are performed. The flashROM stores a variety of rewritable data, such as phonebook entries,outgoing messages, and incoming messages, information of a touch inputpoint of the user, and the like.

The input unit 110 includes a plurality of function keys such as numeralkey buttons of ‘0’ to ‘9’, a menu button, a cancel button, an OK button,a talk button, an end button, an Internet access button, a navigation(or direction) key button, a character input key, and the like. Keyinput data (such as a motion detection function operation), which isinput when the user presses these keys, is provided to the controller100.

The display unit 112 displays information such as state information,which is generated while the portable terminal operates, limited numericcharacters, large volumes of moving pictures, still pictures, and thelike. The display unit 112 may be a color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD),Active Mode Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED), and the like. Thedisplay unit 112 may include a touch input device as an input devicewhen using a touch input type portable terminal.

The communication unit 114 transmits and receives a Radio Frequency (RF)signal of data that is input and output through an antenna (not shown).For example, in a transmitting process, data to be transmitted issubject to a channel-coding process and a spreading process, and thenthe data is transformed to an RF signal. In a receiving process, the RFsignal is received and transformed to a base-band signal, and thebase-band signal is subject to a de-spreading process and achannel-decoding process, thereby restoring the data.

Although the functions of the motion detector 102 and the terminal statedeterminer 104 can be performed by the controller 101 of the portableterminal, these elements are separately constructed in the presentinvention for exemplary purposes only. Thus, those ordinary skilled inthe art can understand that various modifications can be made within thescope of the present invention. For example, these elements may beconstructed such that their functions are processed by the controller100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a motion detection operation process in accordancewith a motion state of a portable terminal according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a process of changing sensing information forfunction control in accordance with a motion state in a portableterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A, the portable terminal allows a sensor 200 to gather sensinginformation A 202 required to determine the motion state of the portableterminal and sensing information X 204 for function control.

After gathering the sensing information 202 and 204, the sensor 200provides the received sensing information 202 and 204 to a terminalstate determiner 205.

The terminal state determiner 205 determines a motion state 206 of theportable terminal (as indicated by A₁, A₂, . . . , A_(N) in FIG. 2A) byusing the sensing information 202 required to determine the motion stateof the portable terminal. The motion state of the portable terminal maybe a non-moving state, a walking state, a fast-walking state, a runningstate, a fast-running state, and the like.

The terminal state determiner 205 changes the sensing information 204received from the sensor 200 for function control into a signal X₁, X₂,. . . , X_(N) corresponding to the determined motion state (as indicatedby 208 in FIG. 2A), and provides the resultant signal to a motiondetector 220.

For example, if the signal X is received in a state where the state A₁is determined by the terminal state determiner 205, the received signalX is converted into the signal X₁.

As a result, the motion detector 220 can solve the conventional problemin which motion detection cannot be correctly performed using a sensingsignal that is added according to the motion state of the portableterminal.

FIG. 2B illustrates a process of changing a motion detection model inaccordance with a motion state in a portable terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B, the portable terminal allows a sensor 240 to gather sensinginformation A 242 required to determine the motion state of the portableterminal and sensing information X 244 for function control

After gathering the sensing information 202 and 244, the sensor 240provides the received sensing information 242 and 244 to a terminalstate determiner 250.

As described above, the terminal state determiner 250 determines amotion state 248 of the portable terminal (as indicated by A₁, A₂, . . ., A_(N) in FIG. 2B) by using the sensing information 242 required todetermine the motion state of the portable terminal.

Further, the terminal state determiner 250 directly provides a motiondetector 260 with the sensing information X 244 received from the sensor240 for function control.

The motion detector 260 performs motion detection (as indicated by 260)by changing a model 249 required for motion detection according to theportable terminal's motion state determined by the terminal statedeterminer 250.

For example, if the terminal state determiner 250 determines that themotion state of the portable terminal is a running state, the motiondetector 260 changes the current model to a motion detection modelcapable of performing correct motion detection by using additionalsensing information generated in the running state.

In addition thereto, the portable terminal of the present invention canimprove motion detection capability by changing a parameter according tothe motion station. Herein, the parameter is used as a criterion fordetermining sensing information for function control and is generated inaccordance with a motion of the user. For example, under the assumptionthat the portable terminal determines the sensing information forfunction control by using a parameter S, if the user of the portableterminal is in motion in a normal state, the parameter S used as acriterion for motion detection can be used for correct motion detection,that is, sensing information can be determined as sensing informationfor function control. However, when the user of the portable terminalgenerates sensing information in a state where the user runs fast, theportable terminal cannot determine whether the sensing information isthe sensing information for function control by using the parameter S.

Accordingly, in order to determine whether the sensing informationgenerated in a fast-running state is the sending information forfunction control, the portable terminal may determine whether thesensing information is the sensing information for function control bychanging the parameter S used as the criterion for motion detection intoa parameter S1.

An apparatus for changing a motion detection process in accordance witha motion state of a portable terminal to improve motion detectioncapability of the portable terminal has been described above accordingto exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Hereinafter, a methodof improving motion detection capability of a portable terminal bychanging a motion in a normal state in accordance with a motion state byusing the apparatus above will be described according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process of improving capability of amotion detection function in a portable terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3, the portable terminal receives sensing information fordetermining a motion state in step 301, and then determines the motionstate of a user of the portable terminal in step 303. In this case, theportable terminal receives the sensing information (such as accelerationinformation, slope information, and the like) for determining the motionstate of the user so as to determine whether the user is walking,walking at a fast pace, running, or running at a very fast pace.

In step 305, the portable terminal changes a motion detection processaccording to the motion state.

The changing of the motion detection process includes changing aparameter for motion detection to increase a motion detection successrate for functional control, changing a motion detection model, changingmotion detection information in a normal state according to the motionstate, and changing a parameter indicating a criterion for determining auser's motion according to the motion state.

That is, if it is assumed that the user is in motion to play back musicin a fast-running state, the motion cannot be correctly detected in thefast-running state. Therefore, the portable terminal improves capabilityof the motion detection operation by adding a weight to the slopeinformation and acceleration information required for motion detectionin order to increase the capability of the motion detection operation.

In addition, the portable terminal changes music played back in thenormal state to fit a running state by training the motion for musicplayback in the running state.

In step 307, the portable terminal performs the motion detection processby using the motion detection process changed in step 305.

That is, the portable terminal can improve motion detection capabilityby changing a parameter required for motion detection according to themotion state, by changing the motion detection model according to themotion state, or by changing information for motion detection in thenormal state according to the motion state.

Thereafter, the procedure of FIG. 3 ends.

Although it has been described in FIG. 3 that the motion detectionprocess changes for motion detection in accordance with the state of theportable terminal to improve motion detection capability according tothe exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the present inventioncan also deactivate an operation of the motion detection function toavoid unnecessary erroneous operations when the portable terminal is ina state where the motion detection capability deteriorates.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a process of improving capability of amotion detection function in a portable terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4, the portable terminal changes sensing information received toimprove motion detection capability in accordance with a motion stateaccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anddetects a motion by using the changed information.

The portable terminal receives sensing information for determining themotion state in step 401, and then determines the motion state of theterminal in step 403. That is, the portable terminal performs a processof determining whether a user of the portable terminal moves at a normalpace, walks fast, runs, and the like.

In step 405, the portable terminal determines whether sensinginformation for function control is received. The sensing informationfor function control is motion information for controlling the portableterminal by using the motion detection function, and is pre-defined inthe portable terminal to control an operation of the portable terminal.

If the sensing information for function control is not received in step405, returning to step 401, the portable terminal determines the stateof the portable terminal.

Otherwise, if the sensing information for function control is receivedin step 405, proceeding to step 407, the portable terminal determineswhether the sensing information for function control is received in anormal state. That is, the motion state of the portable terminal at atime when the sensing information for function control is received isdetermined in step 407, and if the motion state is not in the normalstate, in which motion detection can be performed normally, but in arunning state or a walking state, the portable terminal changes thereceived sensing information for function control according to themotion state to improve motion detection capability, and detects themotion by using the changed sensing information.

If the sensing information for function control is received in thenormal state (e.g., in a state when the user does not move) in step 407,proceeding to step 413, the portable terminal control a correspondingfunction by detecting the received sensing information for functioncontrol.

Otherwise, if the sensing information for function control is receivednot in the normal state but in other states (e.g., in a state where theuser runs) in step 407, proceeding to step 409, the portable terminalchanges the sensing information for function control to informationcorresponding to the motion state of the portable terminal.

In this case, a motion to be changed for each state by using a motionfor function control in the normal state of the portable terminal ispre-learned and stored in the portable terminal.

In addition, the portable terminal may deactivate the motion detectionfunction to prevent the motion detection function from beingunnecessarily performed when using sensing information in a runningstate as the sensing information for function control.

In step 411, the portable terminal controls a function corresponding tothe sensing information for function control by using the changedsensing information.

Thereafter, the procedure of FIG. 4 ends.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detaileddescription of the invention but by the appended claims and theirequivalents, and all differences within the scope will be construed asbeing included in the present invention.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A portable terminal providing motion detection,the portable terminal comprising: a memory configured to store aplurality of motion detection models, each motion detection modelcorresponding to a motion state of the portable terminal, and comprisingparameters for identifying a motion of the terminal; a sensor configuredto generate sensing information comprising first information foridentifying a motion state and second information for identifying themotion of the terminal, the sensor comprising at least one of a gyrosensor or an acceleration sensor; and a controller configured to: selecta motion detection model among the stored plurality of motion detectionmodels based on the first information; compensate the second informationusing the selected motion detection model; identify the motion of theterminal based on the compensated second information; and control anoperation of the portable terminal corresponding to the identifiedmotion.
 22. The portable terminal of claim 21, wherein the at least oneparameter included in the each motion detection model comprises adifferent weight corresponding to the motion state.
 23. The portableterminal of claim 21, wherein the motion state comprises at least one ofa non-moving state, a walking state, a fast-walking state, a runningstate or a fast-running state.
 24. The portable terminal of claim 21,wherein the at least one parameter included in the selected motiondetection model is associated with at least one of slope information andacceleration information.
 25. The portable terminal of claim 21, whereinthe controller is configured to deactivate the motion detection functionif an error occurs in the motion detection based on the selected motiondetection model.
 26. The portable terminal of claim 21, wherein thecontroller is configured to deactivate the motion detection function ifan error occurs in the motion state detection.
 27. The portable terminalof claim 21, further comprising an input unit configured to receive keyinput data configured to activate an operation of the motion detection.28. The portable terminal of claim 21, further comprising a display unitconfigured to display state information.
 29. The portable terminal ofclaim 28, wherein the display unit is at least one of a color LiquidCrystal Display (LCD), an Active Mode Organic Light Emitting Diode(AMOLED), or a touch input device.
 30. A method for providing motiondetection in a portable terminal, the method comprising: store aplurality of motion detection models, each motion detection modelcorresponding to a motion state of the portable terminal, and comprisingparameters for identifying a motion of the terminal; gathering sensinginformation comprising first information for identifying a motion stateand second information for identifying the motion of the terminal, thesensor comprising at least one of a gyro sensor or an accelerationsensor; selecting a motion detection model among the stored plurality ofmotion detection models based on the first information; compensating thesecond information using the selected motion detection model by changingat least one parameter included in the selected motion detection modelbased on the motion state; identifying the motion of the terminal basedon the compensated second information; and controlling an operation ofthe portable terminal corresponding to the identified motion.
 31. Themethod of claim 30, wherein the at least one parameter included in theeach motion detection model comprises a different weight correspondingto the motion state.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein the motionstate comprises at least one of a non-moving state, a walking state, afast-walking state, a running state and a fast-running state.
 33. Themethod of claim 30, wherein the at least one parameter included in theselected motion detection model is associated with at least one of slopeinformation and acceleration information.
 34. The method of claim 30,further comprising deactivating the motion detection function if anerror occurs in the motion detection based on the selected motiondetection model.
 35. The method of claim 30, further comprisingdeactivating the motion detection function if an error occurs in themotion state detection.
 36. The method of claim 30, further comprisingreceiving key input data configured to activate an operation of themotion detection.
 37. The method of claim 30, further comprisingdisplaying state information.